I’m from NJ (Clifton). So is Titus Andronicus (Glen Rock) and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (Bloomfield). The New York Times focuses on these two bands (no mention of me, that’s okay) who just released great new albums.

After more than a decade awash in hardcore, heavy metal and emo bands, a few of them distinguished like My Chemical Romance, New Jersey is having another moment. In addition to Titus Andronicus, Vivian Girls and Real Estate, there’s also the Gaslight Anthem, soul-punkers from New Brunswick, which is home to the sly garage and dance-punk influenced outfit Screaming Females. (full story)

MP3: Titus Andronicus – A More Perfect Union

New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus is doing a mini tour of in-store performances in support of their new Civil War concept album, The Monitor, which is out tomorrow on XL. One of the seven stops will be at Used Kids Records here in Columbus this Wednesday, 3/10. And it’s free. The poster says 7 pm, Used Kids says 6 pm. Who will you trust…

They’ll also be back in Columbus at the Summit April 22.

Click here to see all of Kim’s photos from last week’s show. You can also see a video from the show here.